← The Saudi aviation reference, in one place.
Saudi eAIP GEN 2.2 — Abbreviations Used in AIS Publications
Reproduced for study. Always verify against the official GACAR at gaca.gov.sa.
Saudi eAIP, AIRAC AMDT 05/26 — effective 14 MAY 2026. Verify against the current AIP at aimss.sans.com.sa before any operational use.
GEN 2.2 ABBREVIATIONS USED IN AIM PUBLICATIONS
Abbreviations marked by an asterisk (*) are either different from or not contained in ICAO Doc 8400
A
Amber
A/A
Air-to-air
A/G
Air-to-ground
AAA
(or AAB, AAC . . . etc., in sequence)Amended meteorological message (message type designator)
*AAC
Aeronautical administrative communications
AAD
Assigned altitude deviation
AAIM
Aircraft autonomous integrity monitoring
AAL
Above aerodrome level
AAR
Air to air refuelling
*AB
Air base
*ABAS
Aircraft-based augmentation system
*ABC
Air base commander
ABI
Advance boundary information
ABM
Abeam
ABN
Aerodrome beacon
ABT
About
ABV
Above
AC
Altocumulus
ACARS
(to be pronounced "AY-CARS") Aircraft communication addressing and reporting system
ACAS
(to be pronounced "AY-CAS") Airborne collision avoidance system
ACC
Area control center or area control
ACCID
Notification of an aircraft accident
ACFT
Aircraft
ACK
Acknowledge
ACL
Altimeter check location
ACN
Aircraft classification number
ACP
Acceptance (message type designator)
ACPT
Accept or accepted
*ACSE
Application control service element
ACT
Active or activated or activity
AD
Aerodrome
ADA
Advisory area
ADC
Aerodrome chart
AD
Aerodrome office ( specify service )
ADDN
Addition or additional
ADF
Automatic direction-finding equipment
*ADI
Administrative domain identifier
ADIZ
(to be pronounced "AY-DIZ") Air Defence identification zone
ADJ
Adjacent
*ADM
Administrative identifier
*ADNC
Air Defence notification center
ADO
Aerodrome office (specify service)
ADR
Advisory route
ADS-C
Automatic dependent surveillance contract
ADSU
Automatic dependent surveillance unit
ADVS
Advisory service
ADZ
Advise
*AE
Application entity
AES
Aircraft earth station
*AFI
Authority and format identifier
AFIL
Flight plan filed in the air
AFIS
Aerodrome flight information service
*AFL
Airfield lighting
AFM
Yes or affirm or affirmative or that is correct
AFS
Aeronautical fixed service
AFT
After . . . (followed time or place)
AFTN
Aeronautical fixed telecommunication network
A/G
Air-to-ground
AGA
Aerodromes, air routes and ground aids
AGL
Above ground level
AGN
Again
*AI
Aircraft identifier
AIC
Aeronautical information circular
AIDC
Air traffic services interfacility data communications
AIM
Aeronautical information Management
*AINSC
Aeronautical industry services communication
AIP
Aeronautical information publication
AIRAC
Aeronautical information regulation and control
AIREP
Air-report
AIRMET
Information concerning en-route weather phenomena which may affect the safety of low-level aircraft operations
AIS
Aeronautical information services
ALA
Alighting area
ALERFA
Alert phase
ALR
Alerting (message type designator)
ALRS
Alerting service
ALS
Approach lighting system
*ALSF1
Approach lighting system with sequenced flashing lights, category I configration.
*ALSF2
Approach lighting system with sequenced flashing lights, category II configration.
ALT
Altitude
ALTN
Alternate or alternating (light alternates in color)
ALTN
Alternate (aerodrome)
AMA
Area minimum altitude
AMD
Amend or amended (used to indicate amended meteorological message; message type designator)
AMDT
Amendment (AIP Amendment)
AMS
Aeronautical mobile service
AMSL
Above mean sea level
AMSS
Aeronautical mobile satellite service
ANC
Aeronautical chart - 1:500 000 (followed by name / title )
ANCS
Aeronautical navigation chart - small scale ( followed by name / title )
ANS
Answer
*ANT
Antenna
AO
Aircraft operator
*AOA
Aerodrome operating authority
AOC . . .
Aerodrome obstacle chart (followed by type and name / title)
*AOP
ATN OSI profile AOR
*AOR
Area of responsibility
AP
Airport
APAPI
(to be pronounced "AY-PAPI" ) abbreviated precision approach path indicator
APCH
Approach
APDC
Aircraft parking / docking chart (followed by name / title )
APN
Apron
APP
Approach control office or approach control or approach control service
APR
April
APRX
Approximate or approximately
APSG
After passing
APU
Auxiliary power unit
APV
Approach procedure with vertical guidance
ARC
Area chart
ARNG
Arrange
ARO
Air traffic services reporting office
ARP
Aerodrome reference point
ARP
Air-report (message type designator)
ARQ
Automatic error correction
ARR
Arrive or arrival
ARR
Arrival (message type designator)
ARS
Special air-report (message type designator)
*ARS
Administrative region selector
ARST
Arresting (specify [ part of ] aircraft arresting equipment)
AS
Altostratus
ASAP
As soon as possible
ASC
Ascend to or ascending to
ASDA
Accelerate-stop distance available
*ASM
Airspace management
*ASN.1
Abstract syntax notation one
*ASO
Application service object
ASE
Altimetry system error
ASHTAM
Special series NOTAM notifying by means of specific format change in activity of a volcano, a volcanic eruption and/or volcanic as cloud that is of significance to aircraft operations
ASPH
Asphalt
*ASPP
Aeronautical fixed service systems planning for data interchange (ASP) panel
*ASR
Aerodrome surveillance radar
AT . . .
At (followed by time at which weather change is forecast to occur)
ATA
Actual time of arrival
ATC
Air traffic control (in general)
*ATCC
Air traffic control center
ATD
Actual time of departure
ATFM
Air traffic flow management
ATIS
Automatic terminal information service
ATM
Air traffic management
ATN
Aeronautical telecommunication network
*ATNP
Aeronautical telecommunication network panel
ATP . . .
At (followed by time or place)
*ATP
Airline transport pilot
ATS
Air traffic services
*ATSMHS
ATS message handling services
*ATSU
Air traffic service units
ATTN
Attention
AT-VASIS
(to be pronounced "AY-TEE-VASIS") Abbreviated T visual approach slope indicator system
ATZ
Aerodrome traffic zone
AUG
August
AUTH
Authorized or authorization
AUTO
Automatic
AUW
All up weight
AUX
Auxiliary
AVBL
Available or availability
AVG
Average
AVGAS
Aviation gasoline
AWOS
Automated weather observation
AWTA
Advise at what time able
AWY
Airway
AZM
Azimuth
B
Blue
BA
Braking action
BASE
Cloud base
*BC
Back course
*BCD
Binary coded decimal
BCFG
Fog patches
BCN
Beacon (aeronautical ground light)
BCST
Broadcast
BDRY
Boundary
BECMG
Becoming
BFR
Before
*BIS
Boundary intermediate system
BKN
Broken
BL . . .
Blowing (followed by DU = dust, SA = s and or SN = snow)
BLDG
Building
BLO
Below clouds
BLW
Below
*BOA/H
Break-off altitude/height
BOMB
Bombing
BR
Mist
BRF
Short (used to indicate the type of approach desired or required)
BRG
Bearing
BRKG
Braking
BS
Commercial broadcasting station
BTL
Between layers
BTN
Between
C
Degrees Celsius (Centigrade)
CA
Course to an altitude
CAA
Civil aviation authority or civil aviation administration
*CAL
Calvert approach lights
CAT
Category
CAT
Clear air turbulence
CAVOK
(to be pronounced "KAV - OH - KAY") Visibility, cloud and present weather better than prescribed values or conditions
CB
(to be pronounced "CEE BEE") Cumulonimbus
CC
Cirrocumulus
CCA
(or CCB, CCC . . . etc., in sequence) Corrected meteorological message (message type designator)
CCO
Continuous climb operations
*CCITT
International telegraph and telephone consultative committee
*CCW
Counter-clockwise
CD
Candela
CDN
Coordination (message type designator)
CDO
Continuous desent operations
CF
Change frequency to . . .
CF
Course to a fix
CFM
Confirm or I confirm (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)
CGL
Circling guidance light(s)
CH
Channel
CHEM
Chemical
CHG
Modification (message type designator)
*CHGD
Changed
CI
Cirrus
CIDIN
Common ICAO data interchange network
CIV
Civil
CK
Check
CL
Center line
CLA
Clear type of ice formation
CLBR
Calibration
CLD
Cloud / Climb-out
CLG
Calling
CLR
Clear(s) or cleared to . . . or clearance
CLRD
Runway(s) or cleard (used in METAR/SPECI)
CLSD
Close or closed or closing
CM
Centimeter
CMB
Climb to or climbing to
CMPL
Completion or completed or complete
CNL
Cancel or canceled
CNL
Flight plan cancellation (message type designator)
CNS
Communications, navigation and surveillance
*CO
connection oriented
*COL
Column
COM
Communications
CONC
Concrete
COND
Condition
CONS
Continuous
CONST
Construction or constructed
CONT
Continue(s) or continued
COOR
Coordinate or coordination
COORD
Coordinates
COP
Change-over point
COR
Correct or correction or corrected (used to indicate corrected meteorological message; message type designator)
COT
At the coast
COV
Cover or covered or covering
CPDLC
Controller-pilot data link communications
CPL
Current flight plan (message type designator)
CRC
Cyclic redundancy check
CRP
Compulsory reporting point
CRZ
Cruise
CS
Call sign
CS
Cirrostratus
CTA
Control area
CTAM
Climb to and maintain
CTC
Contact
CTL
Control
CTN
Caution
CTR
Control zone
CU
Cumulus
CUF
Cumuliform
CUST
Customs
CVR
Cockpit voice recorder
*CVFR
Controlled visual flight rules
CW
Continuous wave
*CW
Clockwise
CWY
Clearway
D
D . . .
Danger area (followed by identification)
D
Downward (tendency in RVR during previous 10 minutes)
DA
Decision altitude
D-ATIS
(To be pronounced "DEE-ATIS") Data link authomatic terminal information service
DCD
Double channel duplex
*DCE
Data communications equipment
DCKG
Docking
DCP
Datum crossing point
DCPC
Direct controller - pilot communications
DCS
Double channel simplex
DCT
Direct (in relation to flight plan clearances and type of approach)
DEC
December
DE
From (used to precede the call sign of the calling station) (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)
DEG
Degrees
DEP
Depart or departure
DEP
Departure (message type designator)
DER
Departure end of runway
DES
Descend to or descending to
DEST
Destination
DETRESFA
Distress phase
DEV
Deviation or deviating
DFDR
Digital flight data recorder
DFTI
Distance from touchdown indicator
DH
Decision height
DIF
Diffuse
DIST
Distance
DIV
Divert or diverting
DLA
Delay (message type designator)
DLA
Delay or delayed
DLIC
Data link initiation on capability
DLY
Daily
DME
Distance measuring equipment
DNG
Danger or dangerous
*DNIC
Data network identification code
DOM
Domestic
DP
Dew point temperature
DPT
Depth
DR
Dead reckoning
DR . .
Low drifting (followed by DU = dust, SA = sand or SN = snow)
DRG
During
DS
Dust storm
DSB
Double sideband
DTAM
Descend to and maintain
*DTE
Data terminal equipment
DTG
Date-time group
DTHR
Displaced runway threshold
DTRT
Deteriorate or deteriorating
DTW
Dual tandem wheels
DU
Dust
DUC
Dense upper cloud
DUR
Duration
D-VOLMET
Data link VOLMET
DVOR
Doppler VOR
DW
Dual wheels
*DX
Duplex operation
DZ
Drizzle
E
East or eastern longitude
EAT
Expected approach time
EB
Eastbound
EDA
Elevation differentail area
EET
Estimated elapsed time
EFC
Expect further clearance
EFIS
(to be pronounced "EE-FIS") Electronic flight instrument system
*EFF
Effective
EHF
Extremely high frequency [30 000 to 300 000 MHZ]
ELBA
Emergency location beacon - aircraft
ELEV
Elevation
ELR
Extra long range
ELT
Emergency locator transmitter
EM
Emission
EMBD
Embedded in a layer (to indicate cumulonimbus embedded in layers of other clouds)
EMERG
Emergency
END
Stop-end (related to RVR)
ENE
East north east
ENG
Engine
ENR
En-route
ENRC . . .
Enroute chart (followed by name / title)
EOBT
Estimated off block time
*EPIRB
Emergency position indicating radio beacon
EQPT
Equipment
ESE
East south east
EST
Estimate or estimated or estimation (message type designator)
ETA
Estimated time of arrival or estimating arrival
ETD
Estimated time of departure or estimating departure
ETO
Estimated time over significant point
EV
Every
EXC
Except
EXER
Exercises or exercising or to exercise
EXP
Expect or expected or expecting
EXTD
Extend or extending
*EXTN
Extension
F
Fixed
FA
Course from a fix to an altitude
FAC
Facilities
*FAC
Final approach course
FAF
Final approach fix
FAL
Facilitation of international air transport
*FANS
Future air navigation system
FAP
Final approach point
FAS
Final approach segment
FATO
Final approach and take-off area
FAX
Facsimile transmission
FBL
Light (used to indicate the intensity of weather phenomena, interference or static reports, e.g. FBL RA = light rain)
FC
Funnel cloud (tornado or water spout)
FCST
Forecast
FCT
Friction coefficient
*FE
Flight Engineer
FEB
February
FG
Fog
*FIB
Forwarding information base
FIC
Flight information center
FIR
Flight information region
FIS
Flight information service
FISA
Automated flight information service
FL
Flight level
FLD
Field
FLG
Flashing
FLR
Flares
FLT
Flight
FLTCK
Flight check
FLUC
Fluctuating or fluctuation or fluctuated
FLW
Follow(s) or following
FLY
Fly or flying
FM
Course from a fix to manual termination (used in navigation database coding)
FM
From
FM . . .
From (followed by time weather change is forecast to begin)
FMC
Flight management computer
*FMS
Flight management system
FMU
Flow management unit
FNA
Final approach
FPL
Flight plan
FPM
Feet per minute
FPR
Flight plan route
FR
Fuel remaining
FREQ
Frequency
FRI
Friday
FRNG
Firing
FRONT
Front (relating to weather
FROST
Frost (used in aerodrome warnings)
FRQ
Frequent
*FRS
Fire and Rescue Services
FSL
Full stop landing
FSS
Flight service station
FST
First
FT
Feet (dimensional unit)
FTE
Flight technical error
FTP
Fictitious threshold point
FTT
Flight technical tolerance
FU
Smoke
FZ
Freezing
FZDZ
Freezing drizzle
FZFG
Freezing fog
FZRA
Freezing rain
G
Green
*GA
General aviation
*GACA
General Authority of Civil Aviation
GAIN
Airspeed or headwind gain
GAMET
Area forecast for low-level flights
GARP
GBAS azimuth reference point
GBAS
(to be pronounced “GEE-BAS”) Ground-based augmentation system
GCA
Ground controlled approach system or ground controlled approach
GEN
General
GEO
Geographic or true
GES
Ground earth station
GLD
Glider
GLONASS
(to be pronounced "GLD-NAS") Global orbiting navigation satellite system
GLS
GBAS landing system
GMC . . .
Ground movement chart (followed by name/title)
GND
Ground
GNDCK
Ground check
GNSS
Global navigation satellite system
GOV
Government
GP
Glide path
GPA
Glide path angle
GPIP
Glide path intercept point
GPS
Global positioning system
GPU
Ground power unit
GPWS
Ground proximity warning system
GR
Hail
GRAS
(to be pronounced “GRASS”) Ground- based regional augmentation system
GRASS
Grass landing area
GRIB
Processed meteorological data in the form of grid point values expressed in binary form (in meteorological code)
GRVL
Gravel
GS
Ground speed
GS
Small hail and/or snow pellets
GUND
Geoid undulation
H
High pressure area or the center of high pressure
H24
Continuous day and night service
HA
Holding/racetrack to an altitude
HAPI
Helicopter approach path indicator
HBN
Hazard beacon
HCH
Heliport crossing height
HDF
High frequency direction finding station
HDG
Heading
HEL
Helicopter
HF
Holding/racetrack to a fix
HF
High frequency [3 000 to 30 000 KHZ]
HGT
Height or height above
*HIRL
High intensity runway lighting system
HJ
Sunrise to sunset
HLDG
Holding
HLP
Heliport
HLS
Helicopter landing site
HM
Holding/racetrack to a manual termination
HN
Sunset to sunrise
HO
Service available to meet operational requirements
HOL
Holiday
HOSP
Hospital aircraft
HPA
Hectopascal
HR
Hours
HRP
Heliport reference point
HS
Service available during hours of scheduled operations
HUD
Head-up display
HUM
Humanitarian
HURCN
Hurricane
HVDF
High and very high frequency direction finding stations (at the same location)
HVY
Heavy
HVY
Heavy (used to indicate the intensity of weather phenomena, e.g. HVY RA = heavy rain)
HX
No specific working hours
HYR
Higher
HZ
Haze
HZ
Hertz (cycle per second)
I
IAC
Instrument approach chart
IAF
Initial approach fix
IAO
In and out of clouds
IAP
Instrument approach procedure
IAR
Intersection of air routes
IAS
Indicated airspeed
*IATA
International Air Transport Association
IBN
Identification beacon
*ICAO
International Civil Aviation Organization
ICE
Icing
ID
Identifier or identify
IDENT
Identification
IF
Intermediate approach fix
IFF
Identification friend/foe
IFR
Instrument flight rules
IGA
International general aviation
ILS
Instrument landing system
IM
Inner marker
IMC
Instrument meteorological conditions
IMG
Immigration
*IMI
Interrogation sign (question mark) to be used in AFS as procedure signal)
IMPR
Improve or improving
IMT
Immediate or immediately
INA
Initial approach
INBD
Inbound
INC
In cloud
INCERFA
Uncertainty phase
INCORP
Incorporated
INFO
Information
INOP
Inoperative
INP
If not possible
INPR
In progress
INS
Inertial navigation system
INSTL
Install or installed or installation
INSTR
Instrument
INT
Intersection
INTL
International
INTRG
Interrogator
INTRP
Interrupt or interruption or interrupted
INTSF
Intensify or intensifying
INTST
Intensity
IR
Ice on runway
IRS
Inertial reference system
ISA
International standard atmosphere
ISB
Independent sideband
ISOL
Isolated
J
JAN
January
JTST
Jet stream
JUL
July
JUN
June
K
KG
Kilograms
KHZ
Kilohertz
KIAS
Knots indicated airspeed
KM
Kilometers
KMH
Kilometers per hour
KPA
Kilopascal
*KSA
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
KT
Knots
KW
Kilowatts
L
LITRE
L
Locator
L
Low pressure area or the center of low pressure
LAM
Logical acknowledgment (message type designator)
LAN
Inland
LAT
Latitude
LCA
Local or locally or location or located
LDA
Landing distance available
LDAH
Landing distance available, helicopter
LDG
Landing
LDI
Landing direction indicator
LEN
Length
LF
Low frequency [30 to 300 KHZ]
LGT
Light or lighting
LGTD
Lighted
*LHC
Left hand circuit
LIH
Light intensity high
LIL
Light intensity low
LIM
Light intensity medium
LINE
Line (used in SIGMET)
LM
Locator, middle
LMT
Local mean time
LNAV
(to be pronounced “EL-NAV”) Lateral navigation
LNG
Long (used to indicate the type of approach desired or required)
LO
Locator, outer
LOC
Localizer
LONG
Longitude
LORAN
LORAN (long range air navigation system)
LOSS
Airspeed or headwind loss
LPV
Localizer performance with vertical guidance
LR
Last message received by me was . . . (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)
LRG
Long range
LS
The last message sent by me was ... or last message was ... (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)
*LT
Left turn
LTA
Lower control area
LTD
Limited
LTP
Landing threshold point
LV
Light and variable (relating to wind)
LVE
Leave or leaving
LVL
Level
LVP
Low visibility procedures
LYR
Layer or layered
M
M . . .
Mach number (followed by figures)
M . . .
minimum value of runway visual range (METAR / SPECI code forms)
MAA
Maximum authorized altitude
MAG
Magnetic
MAHF
Missed approach holding fix
MAINT
Maintenance
*MALS
Medium intensity approach light system
MAP
Aeronautical maps and charts
MAPT
Missed approach point
MAR
At sea
MAR
March
MATF
Missed approach turning fix
MATZ
Military aerodrome traffic zone
MAX
Maximum
MAY
May
MBST
Microburst
MCA
Minimum crossing altitude
MCTR
Military control zone
MCW
Modulated continuous wave
MDA
Minimum descent altitude
MDF
Medium frequency direction finding station
MDH
Minimum descent height
MEA
Minimum en route altitude
MEDEVAC
Medical evacuation flight
MEHT
Minimum eye height over threshold (for visual approach slope indicator systems)
MET
Meteorological or meteorology
METAR
Aerodrome routine meteorological report (in meteorological code)
MET REPORT
Local routine meteorological report (in abbreviated plain language)
MF
Medium frequency [300 to 3 000 KHZ]
MHA
Minimum holding altitude
MHDF
Medium and high frequency direction finding stations (at the same location)
MHVDF
Medium, high and very high frequency direction- finding stations (at the same location)
MHZ
Megahertz
MID
Mid-point (related to RVR)
MIFG
Shallow fog
MIL
Military
*MIN
Minutes
MIS
Missing . . . (transmission identification) (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)
*MIRLS
Medium intensity runway lighting system
MKR
Marker radio beacon
MLS
Microwave landing system
MM
Middle marker
MNM
Minimum
MNPS
Minimum navigation performance Specifications
MNT
Monitor or monitoring or monitored
MNTN
Maintain
MOA
Military operating area
MOC
Minimum obstacle clearance (required)
MOCA
Minimum obstacle clearance altitude
MOD
Moderate (used to indicate the intensity of Weather phenomena, interference or static Reports, e.g. MOD RA = moderate rain)
MON
Above mountains
MON
Monday
MOPS
Minimum operational performance standards
MOV
Move or moving or movement
MPS
Meters per second
MRA
Minimum reception altitude
MRG
Medium range
MRP
ATS/MET reporting point
MS
Minus
MSA
Minimum sector altitude
MSAS
(to be pronounced “EM-SAS”) Multifunctional transport satellite (MTSAT) satellite-based augmentation system
MSAW
Minimum safe altitude warning
MSG
Message
MSL
Mean sea level
MSR#
Message... (transmission identification) has been misrouted (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)
MSSR
Monopulse secondary surveillance radar
MT
Mountain
MTOM
Maximum take-off mass
*MTOW
Maximum take-off weight
MTU
Metric units
MTW
Mountain waves
MVDF
Medium and very high frequency direction- finding stations (at the same location)
MWO
Meteorological watch office
MX
Mixed type of ice formation (white and clear)
N
No distinct tendency (in RVR during previous 10 minutes)
N
North or northern latitude
NADP
Noise abatement departure procedure
NASC
National AIS system centre
NAT
North Atlantic
NAV
Navigation
NAVAID
Navigational aid
*NAVBL
Not available
NB
Northbound
NBFR
Not before
NC
No change
NCD
No cloud detected (used in automated METAR/SPECI)
NDB
Non-directional radio beacon
NDV
No directional variations available (used in automated METAR / SPECI)
NE
North-east
NEB
North-eastbound
NEG
No or negative or permission not granted or that is not correct
NGT
Night
NIL
None or I have nothing to send to you
NM
Nautical miles
NML
Normal
NN
No name, unnamed
NNE
North north east
NNW
North north west
NO
No (negative) (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)
NOF
International NOTAM office
NONSTD
Non-standard
NOSIG
No significant change (used in trend-type landing forecasts)
NOTAM
Notice distributed by means of telecommunication containing information concerning the establishment, condition or change in any aeronautical facility, service, procedure or hazard, the timely knowledge of which is essential to personnel concerned with flight operations
NOTAMC
Cancelling NOTAM
NOTAMN
New NOTAM
NOTAMR
Replacing NOTAM
NOV
November
NOZ
Normal operating zone
NPA
Non-precision approach
NR
Number
NRH
No reply heard
NS
Nimbostratus
NSC
Nil significant cloud
NSE
Navigation system error
NSW
Nil significant weather
NTL
National
NTZ
No transgression zone
NW
North-west
NWB
North-westbound
NXT
Next
O
OAC
Oceanic area control center
OAS
Obstacle assessment surface
OBS
Observe or observed or observation
OBSC
Obscure or obscured or obscuring
OBST
Obstacle
OCA
Obstacle clearance altitude
OCA
Oceanic control area
OCC
Occulting (light)
OCH
Obstacle clearance height
OCNL
Occasional or occasionally
OCS
Obstacle clearance surface
OCT
October
ODALS
Omni directional approach lighting systems
*OFZ
Obstacle free zone
OGN
Originate (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)
OHD
Overhead
OIS
Obstacle identification surface
OK
We agree or It is correct (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)
OLDI
On-line data interchange
OM
Outer marker
OPA
Opaque, white type of ice formation
OPC
The control indicated is operational control
OPMET
Operational meteorological (information)
OPN
Open or opening or opened
OPR
Operator or operate or operative or operating or operational
OPS
Operations
O/R
On request
ORD
Order
OSV
Ocean station vessel
*OTLK
Outlook (used in SIGMET messages for volcanic ash and tropical cyclones)
OTP
On top
OTS
Organized track system
OUBD
Outbound
OVC
Overcast
P
P . . .
Maximum value of wind speed or runway visual range (used in the METAR / SPECI and TAF code forms)
P . . .
Prohibited area (followed by identification)
PA
Precision approach
PALS
Precision approach lighting system (specify category)
PANS
Procedures for air navigation services
PAPI
Precision approach path indicator
PAR
Precision approach radar
PARL
Parallel
PATC . . .
Precision approach terrain chart (followed by name / title)
PAX
Passenger(s)
PBC
Performance-based communication
PBN
Performance - based navigation
PBS
Performance-based surveillance
PCD
Proceed or proceeding
PCL
Pilot-controlled lighting
PCN
Pavement classification number
PCT
Per cent
PDC
Pre-departure clearance
PDG
Procedure design gradient
PER
Performance
PERM
Permanent
PIB
Pre-flight information bulletin
PJE
Parachute jumping exercise
PL
Ice pellets
PLA
Practice low approach
PLVL
Present level
PN
Prior notice required
PNR
Point of no return
PO
Dust/Sand whirls (dust devils)
POB
Persons on board
POSS
Possible
PPI
Plan position indicator
PPR
Prior permission required
PPSN
Present position
PRFG
Aerodrome partially covered by fog
PRI
Primary
PRKG
Parking
PROB
Probability
PROC
Procedure
PROP
Propeller
PROV
Provisional
PRP
Point-in-space reference point
PS
Plus
PSG
Passing
PSN
Position
PSP
Pierced steel plank
PSR
Primary surveillance radar
PSYS
Pressure system(s)
PTN
Procedure turn
PTS
Polar track structure
PWR
Power
Q
QDL
Do you intend to ask me for a series of bearings? or I intend to ask you for a series of bearings (to be used in radiotelegraphy as a Q Code)
QDM
Magnetic heading (zero wind)
QDR
Magnetic bearing
QFE
Atmospheric pressure at aerodrome elevation (or at runway threshold)
QFU
Magnetic orientation of runway
QGE
What is my distance to your station? or Your distance to my station is (distance figures and units) (to be used in radiotelegraphy as a Q Code)
QJH
Shall I run my test tape/a test sentence? or Run your test tape/a test sentence (to be used in AFS as a Q Code)
QNH
Altimeter sub-scale setting to obtain elevation when on the ground
QSP
Will you relay to . . . free of charge? or I will relay to . . . free of charge (to be used in AFS as a Q Code)
QTA
Shall I cancel telegram number . . .? or Cancel telegram number . . . (to be used in AFS as a Q Code)
QTE
True bearing
QTF
Will you give me the position of my station according to the bearings taken by the D/F stations which you control? or The position of your station according to the bearings taken by the D/F stations that I control was . . . latitude . . . longitude (or other indication of position), class . . . at . . . hours (to be used in radiotelegraphy as a Q Code)
QUAD
Quadrant
QUJ
Will you indicate the TRUE track to reach you? or The TRUE track to reach me is . . . degrees at . . . hours (to be used in radiotelegraphy as a Q Code)
R
Rate of turn
R
Red
R . . .
Radial from VOR (followed by three figures)
R . . .
Restricted area (followed by identification)
R . . .
Runway (followed by figures in METAR/SPECI)
*R
Received (acknowledgement of receipt) (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)
RA
Rain
RA
Resolution advisory
RAC
Rules of the air and air traffic services
RAG
Ragged
RAG
Runway arresting gear
RAI
Runway alignment indicator
RAIM
Receiver autonomous integrity monitoring
RASC
Regional AIS system centre
RASS
Remote altimeter setting source
RB
Rescue boat
RCA
Reach cruising altitude
*RCAG
Remote control air/ground
RCC
Rescue coordination center
RCF
Radio communication failure (message type designator)
RCH
Reach or reaching
RCL
Runway centerline
RCLL
Runway centerline light(s)
RCLR
Recleared
RCP
Required communication performance
RDH
Reference datum height (for ILS )
RDL
Radial
RDO
Radio
RDOACT
Radioactive
RE . . .
Recent (used to qualify weather phenomena, e.g. RERA = recent rain)
REC
Receive or receiver
REDL
Runway edge light(s)
REF
Reference to . . . or refer to . . .
REG
Registration
RENL
Runway end light(s)
REP
Report or reporting or reporting point
REQ
Request or requested
RERTE
Reroute
RESA
Runway end safety area
RF
Constant radius arc to a fix
RFFS
Rescue and fire fighting services
RG
Range (lights)
RHC
Right-hand circuit
RIF
Reclearance in flight
RIME
Rime (used in aerodrome warnings)
RL
Report leaving
RLA
Relay to
RLCE
Request level change en route
RLLS
Runway lead-in lighting system
RLNA
Request level not available
RMK
Remark
RNAV
(to be pronounced "AR NAV") Area navigation
RNG
Radio range
RNP
Required navigation performance
ROBEX
Regional OPMET bulletin exchange (scheme)
ROC
Rate of climb
ROD
Rate of descent
RON
Receiving only
RPDS
Reference path data selector
RPI
Radar position indicator
RPL
Repetitive flight plan
RPLC
Replace or replaced
RPS
Radar position symbol
*RPT
Repeat or I repeat (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)
*RQ
Request (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)
RQMNTS
Requirements
RQP
Request flight plan (message type designator)
RQS
Request supplementary flight plan (message type designator)
RR
Report reaching
RRA
(or RRB, RRC . . . etc., in sequence) Delayed meteorological message (message type designator)
*RSAF
Royal Saudi Air Force
RSC
Rescue sub-center
RSCD
Runway surface condition
RSP
Responder beacon
RSP
Required surveillance performance
RSR
En-route surveillance radar
RSS
Root sum square
*RT
Right turn
RTD
Delayed (used to indicate delayed meteorological message; message type designator)
RTE
Route
RTF
Radiotelephone
RTG
Radiotelegraph
RTHL
Runway threshold light(s)
RTN
Return or returned or returning
RTODAH
Rejected take-off distance available, helicopter
RTS
Return to service
RTT
Radio teletypewriter
RTZL
Runway touchdown zone light(s)
RUT
Standard regional route transmitting frequencies
RV
Rescue vessel
RVA
Radar vectoring area
RVR
Runway visual range
RVSM
Reduced vertical separation minimum [300 m (1 000 ft) between FL 290 and FL 410]
RWY
Runway
S
South or southern latitude
S
State of the sea (followed by figures in METAR / SPECI)
SA
Sand
SALS
Short approach lighting system
*SAMCC
Saudi Arabian mission control center
SAN
Sanitary
SAR
Search and rescue
SARPS
Standards and Recommended Practices (ICAO)
SAT
Saturday
SATCOM
Satellite communication (used only when referring generally to both voice and data satellite communication or only data satellite communication)
SATVOICE
Satellite voice communication
SB
Southbound
SBAS
(to be pronounced “ESS-BAS”) Satellite-based augmentation system
SC
Stratocumulus
SCT
Scattered
SD
Standard deviation
SDBY
Stand by
SDF
Step down fix
SE
South-east
SEA
Sea (used in connection with sea-surface temperature and state of the sea)
SEB
South-eastbound
SEC
Seconds
SECN
Section
SECT
Sector
SELCAL
Selective calling system
SEP
September
SER
Service or servicing or served
SEV
Severe (used e.g. to qualify icing and turbulence reports)
SFC
Surface
SG
Snow grains
SGL
Signal
SH . . .
Showers (followed by RA = rain, SN = snow, PE = ice pellets, GR = hail, GS = small hail and/or snow pellets or combinations thereof, e.g. SHRASN = showers of rain and snow)
SHF
Super high frequency [3 000 to 30 000 MHZ]
SI
International system of units
SID
Standard instrument departure
SIF
Selective identification feature
SIG
Significant
SIGMET
Information concerning enroute weather and other phenomena in the atmosphere that may affect the safety of aircraft operations
SIMUL
Simultaneous or simultaneously
SIWL
Single isolated wheel load
SKED
Schedule or scheduled
SLP
Speed limiting point
SLW
Slow
SMC
Surface movement control
SMR
Surface movement radar
SN
Snow
SNOCLO
Aerodrome closed due to snow (used in the METAR / SPECI)
SNOWTAM
Special series NOTAM notifying the presence or removal of hazardous conditions due to snow, ice, slush or standing water associated with snow, slush and ice on the movement area, by means of a specific format
SOC
Start of climb
SPECI
Aerodrome special meteorological report (in meteorological code)
SPECIAL
Local special meteorological report (in abbreviated plain language)
SPI
Special position indicator
SPL
Supplementary flight plan (message type designator)
SPOC
SAR point of contact
SPOT
Spot wind
SQ
Squall
SQL
Squall line
SR
Sunrise
SRA
Surveillance radar approach
SRE
Surveillance radar element of precision approach radar system
SRG
Short range
SRR
Search and rescue region
SRY
Secondary
SS
Sandstorm
SS
Sunset
*SSALR
Simplified short approach with RWY alignment indicator lights
SSB
Single sideband
SSE
South south east
SSR
Secondary surveillance radar
SST
Supersonic transport
SSW
South south west
ST
Stratus
STA
Straight in approach
STAR
Standard instrument arrival
STD
Standard
STF
Stratiform
STN
Station
STNR
Stationary
STOL
Short take-off and landing
STS
Status
STWL
Stop way light(s)
SUBJ
Subject to
SUN
Sunday
SUP
Supplement (AIP Supplement)
SUPPS
Regional supplementary procedures
SVC
Service (message type only)
SVCBL
Serviceable
*SVFR
Special VFR
SW
South-west
SWB
South-westbound
SWY
Stop way
*SX
Simplex operation
*SYS
System identifier
T
True ( preceded by a bearing to indicate reference to true north)
TA
Traffic advisory
TA
Transition altitude
TAA
Terminal arrival altitude
TACAN
UHF tactical air navigation aid
TAF
Aerodrome forecast (in meteorological code)
TA/H
Turn at an altitude/height
TAIL
Tail wind
TAR
Terminal area surveillance radar
TAS
True airspeed
TAX
Taxiing or taxi
TC
Tropical cyclone
TCAC
Tropical cyclone advisory center
TCAS RA
(to be pronounced “TEE-CAS-AR-AY”) Traffic alert and collision avoidance system resolution advisory
TCH
Threshold crossing height
TCU
Towering cumulus
TDO
Tornado
TDZ
Touchdown zone
TECR
Technical reason
TEL
Telephone
TEMPO
Temporary or temporarily
*TEND
Trend forecast
TFC
Traffic
TGL
Touch-and-go landing
TGS
Taxiing guidance system
THR
Threshold
THRU
Through
THU
Thursday
TIBA
Traffic information broadcasts by aircraft
TIL
Until
TIP . . .
Until past . . . (followed by place)
TKOF
Take-off
TL . . .
Till (followed by time by which weather change is forecast to end)
*TL
Transition level
TLOF
Touchdown and lift-off area
TMA
Terminal control area
TN . . .
Minimum temperature (followed by figures in TAF)
TNA
Turn altitude
TNH
Turn height
TO
To . . . (followed by place)
TOC
Top of climb
TODA
Take-off distance available
TODAH
Take-off distance available, helicopter
TOP
Cloud top
TORA
Take-off run available
TOX
TOXIC
TP
Turning point
TR
Track
TRA
Temporary reserved airspace
TRANS
Transmits or transmitter
TREND
Trend forecast
TRG
Training
TRL
Transition level
TROP
Tropopause
TS
Thunderstorm (in aerodrome reports and forecasts, TS used alone means thunder heard but no precipitation at the aerodrome)
TS . . .
Thunderstorm (followed by RA = RAIN, SN = snow, PL = ice pellets, GR = hail, GS = small hail and/or snow pellets or combinations thereof, e.g. TSRASN = thunderstorm with rain and snow )
TSUNAMI
Tsunami (used in aerodrome warnings)
TT
Teletypewriter
TUE
Tuesday
TURB
Turbulence
T-VASIS
(To be pronounced "TEE-VASIS") T visual approach slope indicator system
TVOR
Terminal VOR
TWR
Aerodrome control tower or aerodrome control
TWY
Taxiway
TX . . .
Maximum temperature (followed by figures in TAF)
TXL
Taxilane
*TXT
Text (when the abbreviation is used to request a repetition, the question mark (IMI) precedes the abbreviation, e.g. IMI TXT) (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)
TYP
Type of aircraft
TYPH
Typhoon
U
Upward (tendency in RVR during previous 10 minutes)
UA
Unmanned aircraft
UAB
Until advised by . . .
UAC
Upper area control center
UAR
Upper air route
UAS
Unmanned aircraft system
UDF
Ultra high frequency direction finding station
UFN
Until further notice
UHDT
Unable higher due traffic
UHF
Ultra high frequency [300 to 3 000 MHZ]
UIC
Upper information center
UIR
Upper flight information region
ULR
Ultra long range
UNA
Unable
UNAP
Unable to approve
UNL
Unlimited
UNREL
Unreliable
UP
Unidentified precipitation (used in Automated METAR / SPECI)
U/S
Unserviceable
UTA
Upper control area
UTC
Coordinated Universal Time
V
VA
Heading to an altitude
VA
Volcanic ash
VAAC
Volcanic ash advisory center
VAC . . .
Visual approach chart (followed by name/title)
VAL
In valleys
VAN
Runway control van
VAR
Magnetic variation
VAR
Visual-aural radio range
VASIS
Visual approach slope indicator system
VC . . .
Vicinity of the aerodrome (followed by FG = fog, FC = funnel cloud, SH = showers, PO = dust/sand whirls, BLDU = blowing dust, BLSA = blowing sand, BLSN = blowing snow, DS = duststorm, SS = sandstorm, TS = thunderstorm or VA = volcanic ash e.g. VCFG = vicinity fog)
VCY
Vicinity
VDF
Very high frequency direction-finding station
*VDL
Very high frequency data link
VER
Vertical
VFR
Visual flight rules
VHF
Very high frequency [30 to 300 MHZ]
VIP
Very important person
VIS
Visibility
VLF
Very low frequency [3 to 30 KHZ]
VLR
Very long range
VM
Heading to a manual termination
VMC
Visual meteorological conditions
VNAV
(to be pronounced “VEE-NAV”) Vertical navigation
VOLMET
Meteorological information for aircraft in flight
VOR
VHF omni directional radio range
VORTAC
VOR and TACAN combination
VOT
VOR airborne equipment test facility
VPA
Vertical path angle
VPT
Visual manoeuver with prescribed track
VRB
Variable
VSA
By visual reference to the ground
VSP
Vertical speed
VTOL
Vertical take-off and landing
V V . . .
Vertical visibility (followed by figures in METAR/SPECI and TAF)
W
West or western longitude
W
White
W . . .
Sea-surface temperature (followed by figures in METAR/SPECI code forms)
WAAS
Wide area augmentation system
WAC . . .
World Aeronautical Chart - ICAO 1:1 000 000 (followed by name/title)
WAFC
World area forecast center
WB
Westbound
WBAR
Wing bar lights
WDI
Wind direction indicator
WDSPR
Widespread
WED
Wednesday
WEF
With effect from or effective from
WGS-84
World geodetic system - 1984
WI
Within
WID
Width or wide
WIE
With immediate effect or effective immediately
WILCO
Will comply
WIND
Wind
WIP
Work in progress
WKN
Weaken or weakening
WNW
West north west
WO
Without
WPT
Way-point
WRNG
Warning
WS
Wind shear
WSPD
Wind speed
WSW
West south west
WT
Weight
WTSPT
Waterspout
WWW
Worldwide web
WX
Weather
WXR
Weather radar
X
Cross
XBAR
Crossbar (of approach lighting system)
XNG
Crossing
XS
Atmospherics
Y
Yellow
YCZ
Yellow caution zone (runway lighting)
*YES
Yes (affirmative) (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)
YR
Your
Z
Coordinated Universal Time (in meteorological messages)
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